Remembering when British Indian Army landed in Morib

Morib Beach which today is a popular picnic spot in Banting, Selangor saw one of the largest landings in history code named “Operation Zipper” which marked the return of British forces to Malaya in the wee hours of Sept 9, 1945 .

A ceremony to commemorate the 74th anniversary of the landing of the British Indian Army on the shores of Morib was today organised by the Malaysian Veteran Indian Armed Forces Association.

The event which which began at 8.30 a.m started with the singing of the national anthem and followed by participants paying their respects with placing flower garlands at the monument.

According to local teacher Mr Jacob P.C Mathews, 46 Indian Army battalions consisting of 42651 army personnels and 3698 armoured vehicles arrived during World War II marking the beginning of the end for the Japanese, leading to the end of Japanese occupation in Malaysia.

In a speech at the event Mr Jacob informed that his father Mr P.C Mathews, who was Bedford Estate clerk at that time had witnessed the landing in 1945.

He had invited several soldiers to eat at his house including 21 year old Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, the second lieutenant of the 50th Armour Brigade. Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq will go on to become the 6th President of Pakistan in 1978 after India-Pakistan separation.

Mr Jacob has then been instrumental in establishment of this new monument in 1998 after the first monument which was build in 1947 during the presence of British was destroyed and lost due to lack of supervision.

Organising chairman Dato Sundaraju Veerappan said the memorial is held annually in remembrance of the historic event. Kuala Langat District Council Member Mr Low Kok Hua was also among the dignitaries present at the event.